OU honors Martin Luther King Jr. with Scholarship Awards

FILE - This 1966 file photo is the last official portrait taken of the entire King family, made in the study of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. From left are Dexter King, Yolanda King, Martin Luther King Jr., Bernice King, Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King III. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. declared, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, File)

Joining in the celebration at the Oakland Center second floor banquet rooms will be Gov. Rick Snyder and keynote speaker Daymond John, fashion mogul and star of the “Shark Tank” television show.

Three OU students were selected for the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards on their efforts to exemplify King’s vision by promoting interracial acceptance and understanding.

Advertisement

The OU event is one of several being held in Oakland County and the Detroit Metropolitan area today in honor of King.

At today’s OU celebration, each of the three students honored will receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 in recognition of their strong citizenship, scholarship and leadership in breaking down cultural stereotypes.

More than 50 students from a wide variety of academic majors have been awarded scholarships since the inception of the Keeper of the Dream celebration.

“The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards celebration is in many ways an event designed to promote social justice, and we’re happy to have two very special guests who will certainly have valuable insights to share about making the most of Dr. King’s dream,” said Omar Brown-El, director of OU’s Center for Multicultural Initiatives and organizer of the Keeper of the Dream celebration.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity take part in this celebration of Dr. King’s vision of advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all,” said Gov. Snyder. “I’m sure the three students selected for this esteemed award will use their passion and leadership abilities to continue this mission for their generation.”

“Daymond John is the creator of the worldwide FUBU fashion brand, owner of the Shark Branding consulting corporation and star of the WABC’s reality television business show ‘The Shark Tank,’ ” said Ted Montgomery, OU spokesman, in a news release.

The extraordinary reach of John’s company and branding has earned him the nickname, “godfather of urban fashion,” he said.

To learn more about the event, call the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at 248-370-4404 or visit the Keeper of the Dream website at oakland.edu/kod. For interactive and printable maps, visit oakland.edu/map.